JUSTICE FOR ALL

Ricky stands firmly in favor of an America that fights relentlessly for justice for all, not just the privileged few. This is an America that boldly asserts that Black Lives Matter, establishing an economic, judicial, and social environment that genuinely reflects this truth in both rhetoric and public policy. Enough with the empty words—talk is cheap. For decades, we’ve heard promises without action.

Action is imperative, and Ricky unequivocally states he will not support any candidate, in any party, that hesitates to make this declaration publicly. The reality is stark: no matter what Ricky achieves, he, like countless others, is just one unjust traffic stop away from becoming a trending hashtag. Lives hang in the balance, and to shy away from this issue is to endanger millions, including Ricky’s own.

Now is the critical moment for this nation to confront the damaging legacy of the African Holocaust, the Transatlantic Slave Trade. America must reckon with these atrocities; it’s time for the right individuals to face their discomfort.

The Democratic Party, in particular, has fallen short in its efforts to authentically engage with the intersectional voices of African and Latiné-American communities. Racism is alive and well. Slavery has not been eradicated; instead, it has morphed into systemic injustice. Our nation cannot move forward until we confront these uncomfortable truths and acknowledge the sins of our collective past.

White supremacy and racism continue to plague our society, and progress is impossible without a direct, unflinching confrontation of this divisive reality. The privileged—regardless of political affiliation—cannot hide behind walls of ignorance. We must reject racist counter-protests against the quest for equality and stand united in our demand for justice.

Ricky envisions an America with a culturally diverse, well-trained, transparent, and accountable police force dedicated to fostering peace and safety for all—citizens and non-citizens alike. Our communities thrive when law enforcement is held accountable and acts justly. Every law-abiding individual, regardless of race, color, or creed, deserves to be protected, not subjected to violence in cold blood.

Ricky believes in an America where the police uphold, protect, and defend the rights and dignity of every person. This is an America where officers view the use of force—not as an initial option—but as a last resort, utilized only after all other avenues have been exhausted. Moreover, our police forces must reflect the communities they serve, ensuring representation at every level. Implementing President Obama’s Report on 21st Century Policing nationwide is essential for achieving this vision.

CHAMPIONING MASS DECARCERATION

Ricky stands firmly against the epidemic of mass incarceration, advocating for a decarceral state that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. He believes that our children—and all children—are the heartbeat of our future, and we must reject any measures that jeopardize their well-being.

BANNING THE BOX

Once individuals have served their time and paid their debt to society, there should be no barriers preventing them from finding meaningful employment. Ricky supports banning the box on job applications that asks about criminal history, ending the discrimination faced by the formerly incarcerated. Upon completion of their sentences, these individuals should be treated as citizens, not criminals, and not discriminated against in hiring practices.

WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

For those exonerated after wrongful convictions, Ricky advocates for robust Wrongful Conviction Compensation legislation. It is imperative that the wrongfully imprisoned receive substantial compensation for every year spent behind bars, along with monthly annuity payments after their release. Simply apologizing is insufficient; we must ensure justice is served.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Ricky asserts it is time to abolish the death penalty once and for all. The notion of killing killers to demonstrate that killing is wrong is nonsensical and fails to deter crime. True progress in addressing crime lies in confronting the root causes of systemic and demographic inequality. Ending cash bail nationwide is a crucial step in this process.

A UNIFIED EFFORT

It’s clear that all three branches of the U.S. Government—the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court—play a vital role in advancing criminal justice reform. But reform is not just the responsibility of government; it requires a united effort from all of us, the people. Together, we must strive to create the equitable and just society we deserve.

FEMINISM

Feminism is an interdisciplinary approach focused on achieving equality and equity concerning gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, and sexuality, informed by social theories and political activism. Feminist theory aims to interrogate inequalities and inequities across intersectional lines, including ability, class, gender, race, sex, and sexuality. Feminists strive to create change in areas where these intersecting identities contribute to power imbalances.

Intersectional Feminism serves as a lens for understanding how various forms of inequality interact and compound each other. It prioritizes the voices of those experiencing overlapping and concurrent oppressions, deepening our understanding of inequalities and their relationships in specific contexts.

TACKLING PATRIARCHY

Ricky envisions an America unafraid to identify as a feminist nation. He advocates for the complete and total equal treatment of women and the dismantling of the patriarchy. For too long, patriarchal norms have oppressed women, causing many to live in fear of violence and discrimination rooted in misogyny and outdated notions of consent.

INTERSECTIONALITY

It is crucial to embrace the intersectionality present in various feminist movements across different racial, religious, LGBTQ+, class, and social lines. We must listen to women’s experiences and utilize male privilege to uplift voices in our society. Ricky believes that achieving gender equality is essential and that America must strive toward this goal urgently.

Ricky calls on white women everywhere to leverage their privilege to amplify the experiences and rights of their non-white counterparts, especially at the ballot box. The phenomenon of Karenism poses a societal threat, and it is vital for white women to acknowledge their privilege and the role they may play in the oppression of non-white women.

ENDING SEXUAL INJUSTICE

Ricky supports the foundational principles of the Me Too Movement and asserts that sexual harassment and violence have no place in society—regardless of the genders involved. He advocates for accountability across all genders, ensuring that accusations are taken seriously and addressed judiciously. It is time for society to ensure equal pay for equal work, and Ricky proudly declares himself a feminist.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Women must achieve better representation in media, music, corporate boardrooms, and leadership roles. The era of women being seen but not heard must come to an end. In sports, women deserve recognition and celebration for their achievements. Ricky is inspired by the growth in women’s leagues, affirming that “playing like a girl” is a point of pride. Women should be recognized not as mere companions to men but as remarkable individuals in their own right. Their narratives are essential to society, and their platforms are long overdue.

Ricky believes in an America that confronts the disastrous legacy of colonial imperialism and its devastating effects on subjugated native peoples. This is an America that bravely declares war on poverty—not on the impoverished. 

Ricky is unapologetically anti-racist and anti-zionist, and he stands firm in advocating for full reparations from the federal government for its historical role in the genocide of Amerindian and Palestinian communities. These reparations must be managed by the Amerindian and Palestinian communities themselves, and all Amerindian treaty rights must be recognized and enforced without exception.

Ricky also acknowledges the profound bond between Amerindian and Afro-descended communities under the oppressive forces of white supremacy, slavery, and genocide. Together, they must assert that Amerindian tribal governments are sovereign entities deserving of respect and recognition. Any initiative Ricky proposes will be deemed a failure if it does not ensure equal access to civil rights justice for both Amerindian and Black American communities.

Ricky envisions an America that categorically rejects all forms of oppression—be it racial, sexual, gender-based, religious, class-based or otherwise. We have been negligent in holding ourselves accountable for this truth, and this negligence is a profound shame on our nation.

Recognizing that wisdom is not exclusive to any one group, Ricky advocates for open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas to foster understanding and liberation from the shackles of our past mistakes. Solidarity is essential for genuine progress.

Ricky champions an America that stands with and listens to all oppressed communities within its borders, reflecting this commitment in both rhetoric and public policy. We must uplift our poor, our children, women, disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals, rejecting any form of discrimination that places them at a disadvantage in society.

We cannot permit a select few to profit off the systemic racism and classism that plague our communities. Every person deserves a seat at society’s table because, as it is written, we are judged by how we treat the least among us, regardless of their struggles.

In 2017, homelessness surged across the United States for the first time since the Great Depression, and the housing crisis continues to escalate. During the Great Recession from 2007 to 2010, millions of Americans lost their homes as a result of reckless lending practices and corporate greed.

Our federal government had a critical choice during that time: to save Main Street and the working class or to side with corporations and the wealthy. Tragically, it opted for the latter, funneling trillions of dollars into bailouts for Wall Street instead of providing support for struggling families. As a result, many CEOs rewarded their irresponsible management of the banking industry with million-dollar bonuses, while the working class was left to bear the brunt of this systemic injustice. This crime against everyday Americans remains unpunished, a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities entrenched in our economic system.

Ricky believes in an America where no one should ever be deprived of a place to call home. Everyone deserves the dignity of secure housing, and it’s time to dismantle the predatory housing lending practices that plague our communities. As workers must reclaim control over the means of production, so too should residents reclaim ownership and stewardship of the land on which they live.

It’s time for comprehensive housing reform that prioritizes people over profit, ensuring that all individuals have access to safe, affordable housing. The well-being of our communities depends on it, and together, we can create a society where housing is recognized as a fundamental human right, not a privilege.